Getting Through Alcohol Withdrawal: Florida Rehabs for Alcoholics

Alcohol Withdrawal: How Florida Rehabs for Alcoholics Can Help

If you or a loved one is suffering from alcohol dependence, you are not alone. In 2015, there were around 15.1 million alcohol addiction cases in the United States, according to data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Once a person has become addicted, one of the fears that many addicts face is going through alcohol withdrawal. Alone, the symptoms can seem almost too much the handle, but through Florida rehabs for alcoholics, the process can be assisted with the help of trained professionals and various medications.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal?

Withdrawal symptoms are the various mental and physical health symptoms that occur after a person who is dependent on alcohol stops drinking. When a person abuses alcohol on a regular basis their body changes in an attempt to adjust to the presence of the substance. Once use stops, the body has to readjust to a normal state without the substance it has begun to rely upon, which causes the many withdrawal symptoms that are seen.

What are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?

At the Florida best alcohol detox centers such as WhiteSands Treatment, the withdrawal phase tends to last around a week for most people. How severe the symptoms are and how long they last depend on how often the person drank alcohol, how long the addiction carried on for and how much alcohol was consumed on a regular basis.

The alcohol withdrawal symptoms commonly seen at the Florida best alcohol detox centers happen in three stages. They are as follows:

Stage one – Symptoms experienced during the first stage of withdrawal include milder symptoms such as depression, tremors, abdominal pain, insomnia, anxiety, mood swings, heart palpitations and foggy thinking.

Stage two – In the second stage of symptoms, the person feels more moderate effects such as an increase in body temperature and blood pressure, irritability, mental confusion and other mood disturbances.

Stage three – The final symptoms that are experienced during detox from alcohol are more severe and possible dangerous. They include delirium tremens which can cause seizures, fever, vivid hallucinations, agitation and severe confusion.

Delirium tremens are the biggest concern during detox, unless the individual has prior medical concerns such as heart problems that can be affected by the increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Going through alcohol detox alone is not advised due to the complications that can occur.

Alcohol Detox Programs

Alcohol withdrawal can cause life-threatening conditions for the person. As such, it is advised to go to a rehab center that is equipped to deal with the withdrawal symptoms.

A medical detox is the best way to cope with the detox. It is a treatment program that uses research-based medications that are able to greatly reduce the negative aspects of going through detox, helping the person cope.

The goal of a medical detox is to prevent complications and maintain balance in your system during the process. This is achieved through the use of medications including benzodiazepines, antidepressants and anti-nausea drugs. Benzodiazepines are used to stabilize a person’s mental activity. It is commonly given to patients to help them with anxiety and as an anticonvulsant.

Detoxification by itself is not enough to treat an addiction. It is simply the first step towards a sober, happy life. Without further therapy and treatment programs at a rehab center, the chances of a relapse are high. Once detox is completed, patients are advised to continue with their recover at a specialized rehab center.

Sources:

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

Mark is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.